Gang Gang Dance: Saint Dymphna

Gang Gang Dance dubbing its latest
release Saint Dymphna after the patron saint for the mentally
unkempt should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the New York group's disorienting racket of beats from all corners of the world and ethereal
noise. The band's last full-length outing, God's Money, was
delightfully unhinged; figuring out where one song ended and the next
one began was challenging, but ultimately rewarding. Now, some of the
fog has lifted and the rapid-fire of drum collages, synthesizer
exclamations and the fiery wails of singer Liz Bougatsos are
manipulated with a newfound clarity. Couple that with a musical
climate more open to pop eccentrics (from Panda Bear to M.I.A.) than
ever before, and Saint Dymphna is a dangerously sane blueprint
for producers trying to capture what "futuristic" sounds
like right now. Arguably no one on the corner has swagger quite like
Gang Gang on "Princes," their collaboration with proclaimed
"Prince of Grime" Tinchy Stryder, who spits rhymes matching
intensity with the robotic drumclaps and bass. Even if this hip-hop
pairing is a one-off (here's hoping it isn't), the band takes equally
great strides with Bougatsos re-imagined as a Kate Bush-like siren on
"House Jam" asking "Will the clouds carry my tears to
you?" When the voices go quiet, even more vibrant tapestries
emerge. "Blue Nile" recalls the rolling acid jazz high hats
Kid Loco harnessed and "Inner Pace" evolves into a
processed brass anthem destined for an intergalactic coronation.
Foreshadowing for Gang Gang Dance ruling the heavens? Crazier things
have happened.